Michelle Bester works as an international student coordinator, assisting in planning and implementation of activities, training, and orientation for SPU’s international students, who often require more service than typical domestic students.
Bester provides answers and documents, and meets student needs with particular expertise because she is an international student herself. “She is literally my ‘right arm,’ ” says Lori Honts Tongol, SPU’s coordinator of international student records. “She is extremely responsible, and works with professionalism and grace.”
Bester helped the team of student orientation leaders become stronger and more effective, and has displayed love and support during difficult moments.
Recently, she spent 10- to 12-hour workdays helping prepare SPU’s biggest-ever international student orientation. On New Student Orientation day, when a new student was detained entering the U.S., Tongol needed to attend to those sensitive matters instead of to the Orientation event.
“Michelle effortlessly moved into the lead role,” says Tongol, “directing students and staff in their duties, answering questions, and ensuring our biggest event was flawless.”